Deck Refit - 1966 Alberg 30

[Tusitala]

I too use Interprotect all the time as my base primer, really good stuff. Since it's made for high build and a 6 month recoating period without sanding it's pretty easy to just keep adding coats with a roller until you have a suitable surface. Sand the decks well with 80 grit on a good 6" soft foam pad sander 1st, I like the velcro attach discs. Make sure it's a variable or low speed sander. Clean the surface well and start priming.

[SVTatia]

Caveat emptor:

Particularly on older boats, where they used to apply thick layers of gel-coat, the cracks will reappear if you don’t replace it either with a thinner layer or with paint.

To do it right, the job will be to peel the entire gel coat layer and then prime with something like the Interprotect 2000.

However, (my disclaimer) due to the amount of work required and time constraints, I could not contemplate such a job, so I tackled the easiest of the 2 which is to fix the existing cracks and repaint.

In some areas, I have cracks restarting – this is after 5 years of the fix. Only on areas painted with the topcoat - the Kiwigrip is flexible enough to "hide" the cracks
.
Just saying, be warned.

[Tusitala]

The guy from Boatworks today covers everything about stress cracks, repairs, refinishing the surface, nonskid and proper modern tools, and of course much more. I posted a link to his YouTube channel in my original reply. It's a question of how far down the rabbit hole you choose to go and how much you want to invest.

I don't know Andy and have no affiliation with Boatworks today. I found out about his videos because we were both working on a very similar project. He seems a very knowledgeable guy.

Pat